Buckle up and get ready for the long journey ahead! If you are beginning your first trimester of pregnancy, congratulations! During this trimester, you will see your body grow and change rapidly.
At this point, the fetus is growing and developing, too, and will reach the size of a lemon by the end of this trimester. You may start getting symptoms such as nausea, sore breasts, and the urgency to urinate during this stage. This is the start of an exciting journey for you. Good luck!
Once you have made it past the 12th week of pregnancy, you are officially in your second trimester! If you haven't already, now is the time to expand your maternity clothing wardrobe.
Your body is going through many changes, and this includes your skin. You are growing a tiny human inside of you, so as your belly expands, you may notice stretch marks. This is completely normal, and stretch marks may even appear on your butt, thighs, underarms, and breasts too. Although not everyone gets stretch marks, there isn’t much you can do to prevent them, so try to embrace the process and remember they will fade after you give birth.
The third trimester of pregnancy will likely be physically and emotionally challenging. Many women experience backaches, heartburn, shortness of breath, spider veins, and frequent urination during this trimester. As your due date approaches, you may be putting the finishing touches on your baby's new room and ensuring your house is ready to welcome your little one.
Focusing on your emotional well-being at this stage is vital. You'll have more frequent checkups with your healthcare practitioner, as often as every two weeks. At these appointments, you will need screening tests for conditions such as gestational diabetes, iron deficiency, anemia, and group B strep to ensure everything goes smoothly. Hang tight. You'll soon be meeting your baby!
